1Petition from Some Inhabitants of Albemarle County, [before 12 May 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
To the Honourable House of Burgesses and Senators of the common wealth of Virginia the Petition of sundry Inhabitants and Freholders Situate in the south part of Albemarle county Humbly Sheweth, that your petitioners suffer many and great Hardships and inconveniencys from the Vast extent of said County in Traveling to the Court-house, the greatest part by far of your petitioners have from...
2Bill for Regulating the Appointment of Delegates to the Continental Congress, [12 May 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia that there shall be annually chosen five delegates to act on the part of this Commonwealth in General Congress any three of whom shall have power to sit and vote. The delegates to be chosen in this present session of Assembly shall continue in office till the day of and those hereafter to be chosen at the said annual...
3Bill to Prevent the Importation of Slaves, &c., [16 June 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
To prevent more effectually the practice of holding persons in Slavery and importing them into this State Be it enacted by the General Assembly that all persons who shall be hereafter imported into this Commonwealth by Sea or by Land whether they were bond or free in their native Country upon their taking the Oath of Fidelity to this Commonwealth shall from thenceforth become free and...
4I. Petition of Thomas Johnson, [before 11 November 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
To the Honl. The Speaker and Delegates of the Common Wealth of Virginia. The Petition of Thomas Johnson Jun. humbly shewith that your petitioner was appointed a Captain in the County of Louisa and raised his quota of men and when he was about to march to Join his Ridgment, was obliged to hire a Cart and two Stears of Charles Yancey to carry his mens baggage &c. as far as Carrs bridge and after...
5II. Report of Committee of House of Delegates on Right of Senate to Alter Money Bills, [4 December 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
The Committee appointed have according to order prepared what they think may be proper to be offered at the conference which is to be desired with the Senate on the subject matter of their amendments to a resolution of the house of delegates for paying to Thomas Johnson the sum of £15-5-6. The house of delegates has desired this conference in order to preserve that harmony and friendly...
6III. Reply of Senate to House of Delegates concerning Money Bills, [9 December 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
The Senate wish to have their institution clearly understood, and the bounds of their authority marked, satisfied that a wide door must stand open to contest, were this not to be the case. They prize very highly the harmony so justly valued by the House of Delegates; whilst that reigns, the public happiness will probably be most effectually sustained. This principle, so useful in the conduct...
7V. Communication from House of Delegates to Senate concerning Money Bills, [9 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Reasons to be offered at the conference to be desired of the Senate in answer to their reasons delivered at the last conference. The house of delegates not being satisfied with the reasons urged by the Senate in support of their amendments to the resolution for allowing to Thomas Johnson the sum of £15-5-6 have desired this second conference to shew the insufficiency of the said reasons and to...
8VI. Reply of Senate to House of Delegates concerning Money Bills, [15 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
The Senate conceive that, in the present Question, it is of no consequence whether the constituent Parts of our Legislature resemble the Lords and Commons of Great Britain , or whether the Senate is made to resemble the House of Lords in this or that Particular. Clearly pointed out as they have supposed the Office of the two Houses to be in the matter on which a Difference of Opinion has...
9VIII. Resolution of the House of Delegates respecting the Claims of Thomas Johnson and Others, [24 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved, That the Consideration of the different propositions of the Senate and this House for defining the precise meaning of the term money Bill in the Act of Government, ought to be refer’d to the next Session of Assembly: and that in the mean time the several persons interested in the claims suspended in consequence of amendments by the senate shall receive on account thereof the sums...
10II. Depositions concerning Claims to Lands under Purchases from the Indians, [April 1777–October 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
In pursuance of a Resolution of the last General Convention of Virginia appointing us Paul Carrington, Bennet Goode and Joseph Speed Commissioners for taking depositions touching Claims to Lands within the Territory of Virginia under Deeds and purchases from the Indians, We have this day met at the Court House of Mecklenburg County after twenty days notice being given to Richard Henderson and...
11Bill for Dissolving the Vestries of the Parishes of Meherrin and St. Anne, [16 December 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas it hath been represented to this present general assembly, that by the death and resignation of sundry members of the vestries of Meherrin parish, in the county of Brunswick, and of the parish of St. Anne, in the county of Albemarle , there is not a sufficient number of members to hold a vestry in either of the said parishes , by which means the business of the same hath been for a...
12Bill for Dividing the Counties of Augusta and Botetourt, [16 December 1777–12 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
[Whereas] it is represented to this present Session of Assembly by the Inhabitants of Augusta and Botetourt Counties that they labour under great Inconveniencies by Reason of the great Extent of the said Counties and Parishes Be it therefore enacted by the General Assembly that from and after the first Day of February next the said County and Parish of Augusta shall be divided by a Line...
13Bill Indemnifying the Executive for Removing and Confining Suspected Persons, [16–26 December 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas on the late appearance of a hostile Fleet in the Bay of Chesapeake, a large Body of Militia were collected and arrayed, and to prevent the dangerous Consequences which might have been produced by a Communication of Intelligence, to the Enemy, it became necessary for the Governor and Council, for the public safety, to remove and restrain, during the Imminence of the Danger, at a...
14Act to Empower the Justices of Cumberland and Fluvanna Counties to Appoint New Places for Holding Their Courts, 24 … (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg, 24 Dec. 1777 .] Act repeals Act of preceding session directing justices of Cumberland to lay off a town called Effingham where the courthouse was to be located; petitions both from Cumberland and Fluvanna request that Assembly authorize justices to “re-consider their said appointments” of places for the respective courthouses. The Act also repeals that part of the Act of the...
15Bill concerning Inoculation for Smallpox, [27 December 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas the Small-pox, at this time in many parts of the Commonwealth is likely to spread and become general, and it hath been proved by incontestible experience that the late discovery’s and Improvements therein have produced great Benefits to Mankind, by rendering a Distemper, which taken in the common way is always dangerous and often fatal, comparatively mild and safe by Inoculation, and...
16I. Bill for Establishing a Land Office and Ascertaining the Terms and Manner of Granting Waste and Unappropriated Lands … (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas there are large Quantities of waste and unappropriated Lands within the territorial Limits of this Commonwealth, the granting of which will encourage the Migration of Foreigners hither, promote Population, increase the annual Revenue, and create a Fund for discharging the Public Debt, Be it enacted by the General Assembly that an Office shall be and is hereby constituted for the...
17II. Bill for Settling Titles to Unpatented Lands, [14 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas the various and vague claims to unpattented Lands under the former Government, covering the greater part of the Country on the Western Waters, may produce tedious and infinite Litigation and disputes, and in the mean time Purchasers would be discouraged from taking up Lands upon the Terms lately prescribed by Law, whereby the Fund to be raised in Aid of the Taxes for discharging the...
18Bill for Sequestering British Property, [13 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas divers persons, subjects of Great Britain, had, during our connection with that Kingdom, acquired estates real and personal within this Commonwealth and had also become entitled to debts to a considerable amount, and some of them had commenced suits for the recovery of such debts before the present troubles had interrupted the administration of Justice, which suits were at that time...
19Bill Appointing the Place for Holding the High Court of Chancery and the General Court, [20 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas by the acts constituting the High court of Chancery and General court, the said courts are to be holden at such place as the legislature shall direct, and no place hath as yet been appointed for that purpose: Be it therefore enacted by the General assembly that for the term of one year after the end of this present session of assembly, and from thence to the end of the session then...
20Bill Granting Free Pardon to Certain Offenders, [13 May 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas the American Congress by their resolution passed on the 23d. day of April last past, reciting that persuasion and influence, the example of the deluded or wicked, the fear of danger or the calamities of war may have induced some of the subjects of these states to join aid, or abet the British forces in America, and who, tho’ now desirous of returning to their duty, and anxiously...
21Bill Establishing a Clerkship of Foreign Correspondence, [18 May 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas it is necessary for the Governour and council to be provided with a person learned in the modern languages for assisting them in a communication with foreign states, and that a competent salary for such person should be provided by law; be it therefore enacted that a clerkship of foreign correspondence be henceforth established, under the direction and controul of the Governor and...
22Bill Providing Speedy Remedy against Defaulters to the United States, [18 May 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas divers persons receiving money of the United states of America for publick uses, apply it to different purposes, and when called on refuse or neglect to repay the same; others enter into contracts for supplying the army and navy of the United states with provisions and other necessaries, and fail or refuse to comply therewith; and whereas in like cases respecting this commonwealth in...
23Bill Empowering the High Court of Chancery to Supply Vacant Offices, [19 May 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the general assembly that the judges of the high court of chancery or any two of them may before the next term appoint a clerk thereof in the room of him who lately died by writing under their hands and seals and at any time hereafter when that office or the office of serjeant at arms shall by any means become vacant may in like manner appoint a successor and such succeeding...
24Bill Providing a Supply for the Public Exigencies, [20 May 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas in order to carry into effect the several acts passed at this present session of General assembly for raising a regiment of horse, for raising a battalion of infantry for garrison duty, for raising volunteers to join the grand army [for recruiting the continental army] and [other purposes therein mentioned, and the resolutions of the twenty ninth of May one thousand seven hundred and...
25Bill to Amend an Act for Raising a Supply of Money, [21 May 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas [< Whereas > by an act of the last session of General assembly intituled an act for raising a supply of money for public exigencies it was enacted that a tax or rate of ten shillings for every hundred pounds value should be paid, among other things, upon all slaves by the owner or proprietor; and that the value of such slaves should be estimated by assessors to be appointed in every...
26Bill to Enforce Attendance of Members of Assembly, [26 May 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg, 26 May 1778 ] Preamble of Bill asserts that public business has been delayed and heavy and unnecessary expenses incurred “thro’ want of a sufficient number of members to proceed to business.” Provides that any delegate or senator not attending on opening shall pay “the sum of for every day that he shall continue absent” when the house of which he is a member is unable to do...
27Bill to Enable Judges of the General Court to Hold Two Additional Sessions, [27 May 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
[ 27 May 1778 ] Since there are only two sessions of the General Court (March and October), persons committed for criminal offenses “are obliged to undergo a long and painful confinement before they can be brought to trial, which is contrary to justice, and the principles of the constitution.” Henceforth there shall be two other sessions (June and December) to hear only “treasons, felonies,...
28Bill to Attaint Josiah Philips and Others, [28 May 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas a certain Josiah Philips labourer of the parish of Lynhaven and county of Princess Anne together with divers others inhabitants of the counties of Princess Anne and Norfolk and citizens of this commonwealth contrary to their fidelity associating and confederating together have levied war against this Commonwealth, within the same, committing murders, burning houses, wasting farms and...
29Bill to Amend an Act for Raising a Supply of Money, [14 October 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas the Taxes Collected by virtue of the Act intituled “an Act for raising a supply of money for Public Exigencies” are not sufficient to answer the purposes of the said Act and Whereas great inequality and injustice have arisen from the various opinions of Assessors in their valuation of Taxable property, and greater evils are still likely to arise if the same mode of Taxation is pursued....
30Bill to Amend the Act Establishing a General Court, [27 October 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
[Be it enacted by the general Assembly] That instead of the Days heretofore set apart for the Trial of Criminal Causes in the General Court held in the months of March and October the said Court shall at the Commencement of the said Terms enter upon the Trial thereof as null those for capitol offences as others setting apart the four first Days, for that Purpose, but the Judges may direct the...
31Bill for Giving the Members of the General Assembly an Adequate Allowance, [12 December 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas it is just that the members of General assembly, delegated by the people to transact for them the legislative business, should, while attending that business, have their reasonable sustenance defrayed, dedicating to the public service their time and labors freely and without account: and it is also expedient that the public councils should not be deprived of the aid of good and able...
32Bill for the Removal of the Seat of Government of Virginia, [29 May 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg, 29 May 1779 .] This Bill is substantially the same as that drawn by TJ in 1776 and summarily rejected on its first reading (q.v., under date of 11 Nov. 1776). TJ had made the proposal in 1776 because of the exposure of Williamsburg to an invading enemy and also because of its inconvenient distance from the western inhabitants; by 1779 danger of invasion was great and the power...
33Bill Amending Act for Fixing the Allowance of Members of the General Assembly, [31 May 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas by an act intituled ‘an act for fixing the allowance of the members of general assembly’ passed at this present session by authority from the body of the people it was provided that the said allowances should be of 50. pounds of neat tobacco by the day for attendance on assembly, two pounds of the like tobacco for every mile they must necessarily travel going to or from the same,...
34Bill for Allowing Salaries to Certain Officers of Government, [May 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General assembly that from the 1st day of Jan. which shall be in the year of our lord 17—there shall be paid the following salaries to the officers of government herein after named, viz. to the Governor 153,000 ℔ of nett tobo. by the year to each of the judges of the High Court of Chancery, General court and court of Admiralty 60,000 ℔ of like tobo. by the year to the...
35Bill for Lessening the Evils of Securityship, [before June 1779?] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas the laws permitting one person to become bound for another have been found in experience to be of more harm than help to the citizens of this commonwealth, by encouraging merchants and others to extend credits beyond the abilities of their debtors to pay, by giving fatal facilities to thoughtless and unprincipled spendthrifts to continue their extravagant courses till they have not...
36Message Accepting Election as Governor, [2 June 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
The honour which the General Assembly have been pleased to confer on me, by calling me to the high office of Governour of this commonwealth, demands my most grateful acknowledgments, which I desire through you Gentlemen, to tender to them with the utmost respect. In a virtuous and free state, no rewards can be so pleasing to sensible minds, as those which include the approbation of our fellow...
37Bill concerning Escheats and Forfeitures from British Subjects, [4 June 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas during the connection which subsisted between the now United states of America and the other parts of the British empire, and their subjection to one common prince the inhabitants of either part had all the rights of natural born subjects in the other and so might lawfully take and hold real property, and transmit the same by descent to their heirs in fee simple, which could not be...
38Order of Virginia Council Placing Henry Hamilton and Others in Irons, 16 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
In COUNCIL, June 16, 1779. The Board proceeded to the consideration of the letters of Colonel Clarke , and other papers relating to Henry Hamilton, Esq; who has acted some years past as Lieutenant Governour of the settlement at and about Detroit, and commandant of the British garrison there, under Sir Guy Carleton as Governour in Chief; Philip Dejean , Justice of the Peace for Detroit, and...
39Henry Hamilton to the Lieutenant Governor and Council of Virginia, 30 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Pelham having very obligingly procured me the means of addressing you, I take this first opportunity of representing to you the Circumstances and situation of the two Gentlemen at present in confinement along with me. I am to suppose they have been put in Prison for having acted under my orders. If there be any criminality in those orders Justice demands that I alone should be the...
40Advice of Council respecting Henry Hamilton and Others, 29 September 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
In COUNCIL , September 29. 1779. The Board having been at no time unmindful of the circumstances attending the confinement of Lieutenant Governour Hamilton , Captain La Mothe , and Philip Dejean , which the personal cruelties of these men, as well as the general conduct of the enemy had constrained them to advise, wishing, and willing to expect that their sufferings may lead them to the...
41Advice of Council concerning Prisoners, 8 October 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The Governor is advised to take proper and effectual measures for knowing from time to time the situation and treatment of our prisoners with the enemy and to extend to theirs with us a like treatment in every circumstance. And also to order to a proper station the prison ship fitted up on recommendation from Congress for the reception and confinement of such prisoners of war as shall be sent...
42Bill for Establishing a Manufactory of Arms and Extending Navigation through the Falls of James River, [30 October 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas in consequence of certain resolutions of General assembly the Governor with the advice of the council of state on behalf of this commonwealth hath entered into articles of agreement with Messrs. Peter Penet Windel and company of the kingdom of France, which articles are in these words following to wit. Articles of agreement entered into and concluded on the twenty second day of July in...
43Petition of Alexander Dick to the Governor and Council, 2 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Williamsburg, 2 Nov. 1779 . The petitioner embarked on an armed brig in February 1777 as a part of the state regiment and was taken to England as a prisoner; having contracted a debt of 160 guineas while a prisoner and during escape, he requests that his pay as captain be made equal to hard money; he requests also a commission as major of marines. RC ( Vi ); 2 p. Dick’s petition was...
44Resolution of the General Assembly Appointing Jefferson Governor, 2 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved that Thomas Jefferson Esquire, be appointed Governor or Chief Magistrate of the Commonwealth, for one Year, he having been elected to that Office by joint ballot of both Houses of Assembly. MS ( PHi ); engrossed copy on parchment, signed by the speakers of the two houses and endorsed: “resoln: of Ass: appt. of Govr.” Another MS ( Vi ), headed “Virginia to wit. In the House of...
45From Thomas Jefferson to the General Assembly, [4 June 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
I receive with great satisfaction this testimony of the public approbation, and beg leave through you gentlemen, to return my sincere thanks to the General Assembly. I shall cheerfully again encounter the anxieties and assiduities inseparable from the important office to which you are pleased a second time to call me, and only wish to be able to call forth those effectual exertions of my...
46Circular Letter to Members of the Assembly, 23 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I AM sorry, after so long and laborious a session of Assembly, the publick exigencies should be such as to call for an earlier meeting of the members than was intended. A proclamation has been this day issued for convening you on the first day of March; and though that alone was necessary in point of formality, I could not deny myself the apprizing you by letter of those circumstances which...
47From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 1 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with great reluctance that after so long and laborious a Session as the last I have been again obliged to give you the trouble of convening in General Assembly within so short a time and in so inclement a season. But such was the situation of Public Affairs as to render it indispensable. The six millions of pounds ordered to be emitted at the last Session of assembly, the four millions...
48From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 3 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
It is thought that the present Situation of the Enemy in this State affords an opportunity of undertaking Some military operations of Importance. To enable the Commanding Officer to carry them on, an additional Force on the Water is necessary. There are in James and Appamattox Rivers vessels of private Property suited and sufficient for the Purpose as is believed. I shall be glad to have the...
49From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 5 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Baron Steuben has sent to this Place a number of the Levies raised under the act of assembly passed at the Session of May 1780, whom he declines retaining as unfit for Service. It was his Desire that it should be made known to the assembly. I therefore take the Liberty of inclosing to you his Letter. The Discharge of these men will on the one Hand lose the Bounty the public: on the other the...
50From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 6 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to lay before the General assembly the inclosed letter from the honble. Majr. Genl. Baron Steuben containing some propositions for the internal defence of our state. I have the honour to be with very great respect Sir your most obedt & most humble servt, RC ( Vi ); addressed; docketed: “Governors Letter enclosing Baron Steubens plan for the internal defence of the State. March 6th:...